SHIPPING TIE-UP

Timaru Herald, Volume CXL, Issue 20283, 5 December 1935, Page 9

SHIPPING TIE-UP

INDUSTRIAL CRISIS IN AUSTRALIA WARNING TO STRIKERS BY PRIME MINISTER United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright SYDNEY, December 4. Should it prove necessary to apply the Transport Workers Act, the Federal Prime Minister (Mr J. A. Lyons) says its application would not be temporary, but permanent, and seamen who refused to resume work would find themselves excluded from future employment in the Australian shipping industry. He added that the Government would not hesitate to grant permits to overseas ships to engage in both inter-State passenger and cargo services, should the remanning of inter-State steamers prove impracticable. Arrangements have already been made by the James Patrick Company to man their ships with volunteer labour. ACTION POSTPONED PRIME MINISTER’S CONCESSION TO LABOUR LEADERS United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received December 4, 10.20 p.m.) SYDNEY. December 4. As a result of representations by the Federal Labour Leader (Mr J. Curtin) and the New South Wales Labour Leader (Mr J. Beasley), the Prime Minister (Mr J. A. Lyons) to-day agreed to postpone, until after tomorrow’s meetings of seamen, the threatened action to apply the Transport Workers’ Act to the strikers. Mr Lyons emphasised that the Government is anxious to secure an early settlement of the strike, but is reluctant to prejudice any attempt now in progress to end the dispute. However, the Government is determined that the strike shall not be allowed to continue beyond the present week. Marine cooks, bakers and butchers decided to-day to stand by the seamen. State Action Welcomed. Shipowners generally welcome the prompt action of the Federal Government and express the opinion that the introduction of the licensing system, would make for smooth working in the industry. If the seamen become licensed, they can be properly controlled and strikes, threats of violence and intimidation reduced to a minimum. The Niagara’s departure has been postponed from 4 p.m. to-morrow until noon on Friday. It is understood that officials were unable to procure all the waterside labour required for unloading, and wet weather accentuated the difficulties. It is expected that the same crew of volunteers will sail with the Niagara on the outward trip. Refusal to Negotiate The Australasian Steamship Owners Federation, meeting at Melbourne, refused the request of the Seamen’s Union for a conference to discuss the shipping hold-up. The ship owners take the view that they have no dispute with the seamen, whose quarrel is with the Arbitration Court. The emergency committee of the Council of Trades Unions has convened a meeting for to-morrow, to discuss the Government’s ultimatum and other developments. SEAMEN ACCEPT CHALLENGE MEETINGS CONVENED IN ALL STATES United press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received December 5, 1.25 a.m.) SYDNEY, December 4 Special meetings of the Seamen’s Union are being held throughout Australia on Friday morning to discuss the Prime Minister’s ultimatum. Motions will be submitted that the men return to work, and that applications be made to the Arbitration Court for a variation of the new award. A large section of the men dread the possibility of being brought under the Transport Workers’ Act, which has disciplined the waterside workers at all ports excepting Sydney, to which the Act so far does not apply. The waterside workers have decided to work the Niagara. The Patrick steamer Cardross sailed to-night, with a volunteer crew.